Poverty Reduction

To reduce the incidence of poverty among Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted.

Most Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted, live with unemployment, and have incomes far below the established poverty line. These individuals are prevented from enjoying the benefits of life in Canada, because of a combination of insufficient income to obtain anything more than the most basic needs of life, and a negative stereotyping of those in such a situation.

The unemployment rate among Canada’s blind, deaf/blind, and partially sighted, must be drastically reduced, and levels of social support for those truly unable to work, must be drastically increased.

The AEBC must lobby Federal and Provincial Governments for the introduction of a social support program that will allow those truly unable to work, to afford adequate shelter, food, clothing, and a certain degree of comfort and enjoyment. The AEBC must also lobby all levels of government, as well as private employers, to hire individuals who are blind, deaf/blind, or partially sighted, and to make the investment required to equip these workers with the adaptive devices and software necessary to be able to successfully carry out the responsibilities of their specific jobs.